How to Apply

We are pleased that you are interested in Otterbein and look forward to receiving your application materials. Please follow the steps below and contact us at uotterb@otterbein.edu if you have any questions.

Check the deadlines

Fall term: March 19

Winter term: October 14

Obtain your transcripts

You must request an official copy of your academic credentials (transcript or record of grades/marks) from the high school/secondary school that you attended. Official copies of transcripts/record are also required from each institution you have attended since graduation from high school/secondary school. The academic record should give a complete list of courses taken, the number of weeks and the number of hours per week in lecture and laboratory for each subject, and the grades/marks received. Each record has to be officially translated into English if its original language is not English. Also each copy should be accompanied by an interpretation in English of the grading system. In cases in which examination results or marks are not released to you, you should request that the proper school officials send the information directly to Otterbein's International Students Admission Office.

If your educational system administers national or international exams in subject areas, you may send official results of these exams in lieu of transcripts. A copy of secondary education certificate or proof of completion of secondary education will be needed. If your native language is not English, you must send an official report of a score of at least 523 on the TOEFL (or 193 on the computer-based TOEFL or 79 on the internet-based TOEFL). You can request an official TOEFL score at www.toefl.org. When requesting an official TOEFL report, please use Otterbein's 4-digit institutional code, which is 1597.

Gather your Proof of Financial Support

Please send a bank statement, an Affidavit of Support, and /or a sponsor's letter indicating that sufficient funds are on deposit or can be made available and will be used for your education.

Get an International Student Advisor's Report, if applicable

If you are transferring from another institution of higher education in the United States, an International Student Advisor's report is required in addition to the above credentials. Click here to view a pdf file of this form.

Review the scholarships page

If you believe that you qualify for one of the awards, acquire proof of test scores and class rank or academic average.

Apply to Otterbein online and mail materials

Apply online, or download this paper version (PDF). Then send a non-refundable application fee of $30.00 in the form of a certified check or bank draft payable to Otterbein University, along with the above materials, to this address:

It may take at least three weeks for us to process your application. Generally, it takes about a month or so before you receive your acceptance letter and I-20 (after you submit all your documents). It could take months if you do not have all the necessary documents, so make sure you submit all the necessary documents. Keep in mind we do not accept copies or unofficial academic records. No copies of the TOEFL or SAT score will be accepted.

Other Important Information

Employment: International Students seeking admission should not plan to work while attending Otterbein. On-campus jobs are sometimes available. To work off campus, an international student must wait one year before applying for permission to do so from the Immigration and Naturalization Service. This permission is not always granted.

Scholarships are available to International Students entering Otterbein who meet certain criteria. Click here to check your eligibility for scholarships.